Transcapillary forces in muscle compartments of lower limbs with deep venous thrombosis.

Interstitial fluid pressure (Pif), plasma- and interstitial fluid colloid osmotic pressures (COPpl, COPif) were measured in muscle compartments of the calf in lower limbs of patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and in contralateral limbs. Pif was measured with the 'wick-in-needle' technique in the anterior and deep posterior compartments in three periods of time following start of treatment for DVT. The first period was from 0-24 h, the second from 24-48 h and the third later than 48 h. We found a significant increase in both muscular compartments in legs with DVT compared to the contralateral in the three periods except for Pif in the anterior compartment in the third period. A significant reduction of Pif in both muscular compartments of limbs with DVT was found when comparing the first and second periods but not from the second to the third period. No difference was found in Pif in the muscular compartments of the contralateral limbs between the three periods. Interstitial fluid for COPif measurements was obtained by inserting intravenous cannulas in the deep posterior muscle compartment of the calf of limbs with DVT and contralateral limbs. In oedematous tissue it was possible to collect some fluid, but this was almost impossible in the non-oedematous tissues of the contralateral limbs. COPif was 4.2(2.4) mmHg (mean(SD)) in the deep posterior compartment of limbs with DVT, which is probably significantly reduced. Increased Pif and reduced COPif indicate increased transcapillary fluid filtration and reduced reabsorption as the main cause of oedema in muscular compartments in DVT of the lower limbs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)